Syria’s Interior Ministry announced today that voters had approved constitutional reforms. The referendum was dismissed by Western leaders as a sham.The government's reform effort follows a gathering of Western leaders and Syrian opposition groups in Tunisia over the weekend.

During the 11-month uprising in Syria, the city of Homs has been a focal point for both protesters and government forces. Earlier this month, a UN Security Council resolution that called for President Bashar al-Assad to step aside was rejected by Russia and China.

As the U.S. economy struggles, South America's is booming — and so is its political influence. Author and Financial Times correspondent Hal Weitzman tells Worldview why he thinks we need Latin America more than it needs us.

Since violence first erupted in Syria last spring, the city of Homs has been a flashpoint between government forces and pro-democracy demonstrators. More recently, military defectors have taken up armed resistance against snipers who patrol the streets. Entire neighborhoods have shut down.

Syria bolstered security around the U.S. embassy in Damascus after Monday’s attack by a pro-government mob on the compound drew worldwide rebuke. After weeks of restrained U.S. reaction to Syria’s brutal crackdown on democracy protestors, diplomatic exchanges between the countries are now tense.

Anti-government protests in Syria are nearing the two-month mark. After initially hinting at compromises, President Bashar al-Assad now appears to favor using force to crush the demonstrations. Last weekend saw an escalation of government forces in cities across Syria.